PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE: CONSULTATION NOTE ON COMPETITION

The Treasury today published a consultation note on competition, and its implications for the private finance initi...

The Treasury today published a consultation note on competition, and its implications for the private finance initiative. The note responds to concerns expressed by many developers and others in the private sector and sets out a possible framework for dealing with them. Comments are invited, to reach the Treasury by 29 October.

Announcing the publication of the consultation note in a speech to a conference on 'Private Capital in Road and Rail Infrastructure', Stephen Dorrell MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: 'We recognise that even more needs to be done to stimulate the flow of ideas and projects.

'The Chancellor promised to address the question of whether the Government's purchasing guidelines have the effect of discouraging the private sector from coming forward with fresh ideas.

'The consultation note floats a number of different ideas on how innovation might be stimulated in a competitive environment, and invites views on the subject by the end of October. I am sure many will respond imaginatively and constructively to this invitation.

'What is really needed is more imagination and enthusiasm both on the part of public sector purchasers and the private sector. Imagination to find practical ways round any obstacles which may exist; and enthusiasm to ensure that the initiative really does deliver more business for the private sector and better quality investment and services for the public at large.'

The NHS has “committed to increasing mental health funding as a share of the overall budget over the next five years”, the Treasury has said, and announced that work to achieve “parity of esteem” will be the “first stage of the NHS long-term plan”.

An LGC subscription...

...gives you access to LGCplus.com, containing an unparalleled database of tens of thousands of articles offering the news, data, guidance and case studies that councils need to withstand cuts and improve services